Catchment management is
about bringing communities and governments together to
achieve cleaner water, less soil erosion, improved vegetation cover and
more sustainable use of our natural resources - to maintain the ecological
processes vital for a healthy environment.
Sustainable management
of natural resources can only be achieved though coordinated efforts.
What is a catchment?
We all live in a catchment - an area
of land catching rainfall that flows into a creek, river, wetland or ocean.
Hills or ridges separate each catchment and direct the flow of water into
different waterways.
A catchment can contain farms, mines,
towns and cities, forests, lakes, roads - everything we see around us.
Environmental damage can occur everywhere in a catchment and activities in
one part of a catchment can effect another part of the catchment.
What can you do to help?
There are many ways individuals can help improve the environment.
Anyone can become involved in looking after their catchment by joining local Landcare, Bushcare or
Waterwatch
groups. These groups are made up of volunteers who work toward solving
degradation and pollution problems in their local area. Funding for these
projects is available through schemes such as the National Heritage Trust.
You can also help around your home and work place by doing simple things such as conserving water, planting native vegetation, preventing pollutants such as litter and garden wastes from entering stormwater drains, choosing low phosphorus washing products and washing the car on the lawn.
Represent your community
 Community representation is vital in making decisions that will effect
everyone who lives in the catchment. Our community forums and reference groups have members who live and work in the catchment, and who have a greater understanding of local issues, which ensures that the best decisions are made for each catchment.
The Newcastle Catchment Management Forum was formed in December 2002 and covers the catchments of Throsby, Ironbark, Cottage, Purgatory and Greenways creeks and enables a more integrated delivery of catchment management across Newcastle.
Established in September 2005, the Hunter Community Reference Group provides a community voice on the management of priority natural resources issues in the Hunter region.
Who can I ask for assistance or more information?
Community Support Officers work throughout the Hunter-Central Rivers region.
Their role is to help individuals and groups in planning, implementing and
monitoring on-ground works, as well as assisting with environmental funding
opportunities and linking on-ground works to the Central Coast, Hunter and Lower
North Coast catchment blueprints. For contact details for your local CSO call the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA on (02) 4930 1030.
Where can I source funding for my on-ground projects?
The Hunter-Central Rivers CMA regularly sources and makes available funding
for on-ground works. Visit our grants and funding
page for more information.
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